McLaren retains Fornaroli as F1 reserve and hands him WEC Hypercar seat for 2027

Leonardo Fornaroli has been confirmed as McLaren’s Formula 1 reserve and third driver for the 2027 season, with the Italian also set to make his World Endurance Championship debut behind the wheel of the team’s new Hypercar — a dual programme that represents a substantial step up in his responsibilities at the Woking-based squad.

Fornaroli’s continued presence in McLaren’s F1 structure follows a productive 2026 campaign that included Testing of Previous Cars sessions, two Grand Prix free practice appearances, and extensive simulator work. That development pathway will run in parallel with his new WEC commitments as McLaren returns to the top tier of endurance racing.

“The programme McLaren has given me this year has been incredible,” Fornaroli said. “The TPC days I’ve completed with the team, the two FP1 sessions and all the work I’ve done in the simulator have been extremely valuable experiences. Every time I work with the team, I learn something new. I want to thank McLaren for the support and the development opportunities they’re giving me.”

The Italian has already had an early taste of the Hypercar, completing a single installation lap before a more comprehensive test began the following day. He acknowledged that endurance racing will demand a significant period of adaptation, but believes his F1 grounding has given him a useful foundation.

“All of this will also be very important for the WEC, because it’s an extremely competitive championship and there will be so much to learn, from overtaking to strategy, as well as, of course, getting to know a completely new car,” Fornaroli added.

The dual role allows Fornaroli to maintain his foothold in the Formula 1 environment while gaining race mileage at the highest level of endurance competition — a combination that McLaren appears to view as the most effective way to continue his development as the team pursues titles on two fronts in 2027.